NEWS RELEASES 2009-10

NEWS RELEASES 2009-10 :: JULY 28, 2009

USDA RELEASES 2009-10 POLICY ON FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEALS; NATIONAL SCHOOL
LUNCH PROGRAM ENSURES STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS DIET

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction today announced the 2009-10
United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) policy on free and reduced-price
meals for children enrolled in the state's public schools. The USDA's National
School Lunch Program helps ensure all students have access to a nutritious
diet by offering students an affordable, high quality, nutritious breakfast,
lunch and after school snack.

"Research indicates that eating habits affect
students' academic performance and health," State Superintendent June Atkinson
said. "Children who are hungry
have trouble concentrating and do not perform as well in the classroom
as students who are well-nourished."

The federal income eligibility guidelines
for July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 are as follows:

HOUSHOLD
SIZE

FEDERAL
POVERTY
GUIDELINE

REDUCED-PRICE MEALS

FREE MEALS

ANNUAL
INCOME

ANNUAL
INCOME

MONTHLY
INCOME

INCOME
TWICE
PER
MONTH

INCOME
EVERY
TWO
WEEKS

WEEKLY
INCOME

ANNUAL
INCOME

MONTHLY
INCOME

INCOME
TWICE
PER
MONTH

INCOME
EVERY
TWO
WEEKS

WEEKLY
INCOME

1

10,830

20,036

1,670

835

771

386

14,079

1,174

587

542

271

2

14,570

26,955

2,247

1,124

1,037

519

18,941

1,579

790

729

365

3

18,310

33,874

2,823

1,412

1,303

652

23,803

1,984

992

916

458

4

22,050

40,793

3,400

1,700

1,569

785

28,665

2,389

1,195

1,103

552

5

25,790

47,712

3,976

1,988

1,836

918

33,527

2,794

1,397

1,290

645

6

29,530

54,631

4,553

2,277

2,102

1,051

38,389

3,200

1,600

1,477

739

7

33,270

61,550

5,130

2,565

2,368

1,184

43,251

3,605

1,803

1,664

832

8

37,010

68,469

5,706

2,853

2,634

1,317

48,113

4,010

2,005

1,851

926

For each additional family member, add

3,740

6,919

577

289

267

134

4,862

406

203

187

94

The household size and income criteria identified above will be used to determine
eligibility for free and reduced-price meal benefits. Children from households
whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced-price
meals. Children who are members of households that are eligible to receive
Food Stamp or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) are automatically
eligible for free meals. Food Stamp/TANF families will be certified by the
determining official by Direct Certification. Foster children who are the
legal responsibility of a welfare agency or court also may be eligible for
benefits regardless of the income of the family with whom they reside. Eligibility
for the foster child is based on the child's income.

Application forms are
being made available to all households. Applications also are available
in the principal's office of every school. To apply for
free or reduced-price meals, house¬holds must complete the application
and return it to the school or to the Child Nutrition Office within the school
district. The information households provide on the applica¬tion will be
used for the purpose of determining eligibility and verification of data.
Applications may be verified at any time during the school year by school
or other program officials.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price
policy, the Child Nutrition Director in each school district will review
applications and determine
eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling may discuss
the decision
with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to
make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request
either orally
or in writing to the school district.

If a household member becomes unemployed
or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school.
Such changes may make children
eligible for additional benefits.

A list of some of the most commonly
asked questions and answers is available on the NCDPI Child Nutrition Services
Web site at www.ncpublicschools.org/childnutrition.
For more information, please contact the child nutrition services director
in the school district in which your child is enrolled or contact the
NCDPI Communications division at 919.807.3450.

About the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction:
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction provides leadership to 115 local public school districts and 148 charter schools serving over 1.5 million students in kindergarten through high school graduation. The agency is responsible for all aspects of the state's public school system and works under the direction of the North Carolina State Board of Education.

For more information:
NCDPI Communication and Information Division, 919.807.3450.